Effect of loading rate on the mechanical behavior of fiber glass mat/epoxy composite

Abstract

The primary objective of this study has been to investigate the effect of loading rates on laminated composites. The material tested was a fiber glass mat/epoxy composite and the range of loading rates explored was 10, 50 and 250 mm/min. The fracture behavior of the laminated composites was determined by a fiber/matrix interface. However, the exact role of the interface in controlling composite failure has not always been clearly identified. The understanding of the response to loading rate of two laminated fiber mat/epoxy composites were applied short beam bend tests. Fracture surfaces were studied by optical microscopy. The flexural and tensile strength properties of one, two and three laminated composites depending on the loading rate have also been investigated.